One year ago tonight.....

One year ago tonight, I had not yet seen your face, I hadn't yet held you.  I had not yet kissed you. 
One year ago tonight, you had not yet made me laugh hysterically or cry from a sheer sense of pride and awe.

However, somehow, I already loved you.   I already adored you.  

One year ago tonight, Mommy and Daddy were at the hospital.   You were "due" to be born two weeks earlier, but you still had shown no signs of making an appearance.   Mommy tried EVERYTHING to entice your arrival, but to no avail.   Dr. Cap said that it was time to encourage your arrival medically.    We were anxious, nervous and filled with anticipation.   We were so excited to meet you!!

After many hours (21 to be exact) of Mommy in labor, you were born on January 20th at 3:54 pm.   I still remember the first time I saw your face.  You were perfect.   I can't wait to tell you the story of your birthday when you are a little bit older. 

I don't have the words to explain how my love has intensified and grown by the minute in the last year.    

Your first birthday is bittersweet to me, as I partly feel as though I am losing my baby, but also feel SO PROUD of the little boy you are becoming.  You have an awesome personality.  You are funny, smart, sweet and fiesty.  Nothing makes me happier than seeing your face. You are my best friend.  

Happy 1st Birthday, my sweet little Roo-Roo.  Mommy loves you SO MUCH!!!!!!!!

Your first word.........

...............................WAS MOMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!  

I was so proud.

You said it for the first time on September 24th--4 days after you turned 8 months old!   You said it with intent and you said it multiple times that day!  

You are the love of my life, little man!!

Since then, you've added the words "Hi" (which you say to EVERYONE and a hundred times a day) and "bye-bye", both complete with waves;  You wave to your daddy every time you see him and you wave to strangers and say hi.  You are quite the social butterfly.   You also say "Dadda".  And, much to my dismay, you now also say "No"!!  I have tried to be very careful about using that word directed at you...for this exact reason.   You think it is hysterical.   You say it while laughing and crawling to places and things you know are off limits....such as electrical cords and outlets, Dalton's room, garbage cans, etc.  

You try to say "Hudson" and do a decent job :-)   You also say "uh-oh" as you continue to throw food from your highchair.    You say "up" when you want out of your carseat or highchair.  And you say "ball", which is one of your favorite toys. 

You also give (slobbery, open mouth) kisses, that I happen to adore.  You clap at yourself whenever you are proud of your accomplishments.  You have *the best* clap ever!!   It is full of excitement and you clap your hands up and down so they swipe one another, as though you are dusting off your hands--rather than a direct clap.   We adore it.  

You are a little babbling chatterbox constantly.   Wish we knew what went on in that little head of yours!!

****PICS WILL BE ADDED***********